Supreme Court disbars Rothstein

Peter Franceschina, Staff Writer

Florida's usually sluggish justice system moved at the speed of a Bugatti in disbarring Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein.

The Florida Supreme Court issued a short, one-page order Wednesday morning accepting Rothstein's request that he be permanently banned from practicing law in the state, a mere five days after Rothstein's request reached the high court.

"Pursuant to the Disbarment on Consent respondent has already ceased practicing law, therefore the permanent disbarment is effective immediately," the court said.

It only cost Rothstein $1,250 to lose his livelihood – the cost of the filing fee with the court.

Compare that to the alleged $1 billion Ponzi scheme Rothstein is accused of running since 2005. The once high-flying lawyer is under investigation by federal authorities for allegedly selling bogus legal settlements to investors who poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the scheme.He has not been charged with any crimes.

Federal agents have seized 20 of his exotic cars, including a $1.5 million Bugatti Veyron, his yachts and filed liens against his multimillion dollar homes.

Meanwhile, there was another bankruptcy hearing for his former law firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, taking place Wednesday morning. The law firm has all but dissolved.